20 TV Acting Performances That Are Totally Flawless

Where would TV be without the influence of James Gandolfini's Tony Soprano? With his career-defining performance, the actor crafted one of pop culture's most compelling and complex anti-heroes, a man torn between his life in the Mafia and the needs of his family.

For six seasons, Soprano was a leading voice in the DiMeo Crime Family, sanctioning hits on his enemies, laundering money, evading the law and building a reputation as one of the mob's most feared and respected bosses.

But underneath his sociopathic tendencies and violent outbursts, there was thanks to the show's writer and Gandolfini's performance a man that audiences could get behind and root for. Gandolfini made Tony Soprano terrifying, but also drew fans in with his magnetic personality, well-placed charm and vulnerability.

Without the influence of Tony Soprano, there'd be no Breaking Bad, Deadwood or Mad Men; and without James Gandolfini, there would have been no Tony Soprano.